Leadership Theories

Trait Theory

Leadership is based on possessing certain innate traits that differentiate leaders from non-leaders

Traits of Leaders

Adaptable, alert, ambitious, assertive, cooperative, decisive, dependable, dominant, energetic, persistent, self-confident, tolerant of stress, willing to assume responsibility

Skills of Leaders

Clever, conceptually skilled, creative, diplomatic, fluent speaker, knowledgeable, organized, persuasive, socially skilled

Advantages of Trait Theory

Intuitive, validated by research, provides benchmarks for self-evaluation

Limitations of Trait Theory

No definitive list of traits, lacks context consideration, weak prediction of outcomes

Transactional Leadership

Leaders promise rewards or benefits for achieving goals and meeting agreements with followers

Transactional Leadership Strategies

Management by exception (active/passive) and contingent rewards

Advantages of Transactional Leadership

Clear goals, motivates productivity, easy to implement, positive effect on patient satisfaction

Limitations of Transactional Leadership

May limit innovation, eliminate individuality, reactive, may not inspire beyond expectations

Transformational Leadership

Leaders articulate a vision and inspire followers to commit, improve performance, and grow

Transformational Leadership Strategies

Inspirational motivation, idealized influence, intellectual stimulation, individualized consideration

Advantages of Transformational Leadership

High follower satisfaction, effective leadership perception, positive organizational culture, emphasizes morals and values

Limitations of Transformational Leadership

Can be too big-picture, may cause burnout, risky changes, requires strong communication, may be seen as elitist

Authentic Leadership

Leadership that promotes self-awareness, positive ethics, relational transparency, and personal growth in followers

Components of Authentic Leadership

Self-awareness, internalized moral perspective, balanced processing, relational transparency

Advantages of Authentic Leadership

Everyone can learn to be authentic, provides guidelines, moral dimension, measurable with ALQ

Limitations of Authentic Leadership

Still formative, moral component unclear, link to outcomes uncertain, psychological capacities not fully explained

Strategies to Develop Leadership Skills

Self-assessment, reflection, engage in everyday leadership, join leadership groups, study 5 Practices of Exemplary Leadership, access resources

Self-Assessment & Reflection

Examine past experiences, journal, improve communication skills, build self-awareness, write personal vision statement

Engage in Everyday Leadership

Develop communication skills, mentor others, lead by example, use evidence-informed practice, advocate for OT, commit to diversity

Join Leadership Groups

AOTA committees, workplace committees, community boards, ILOTA programs, O.T. Leaders & Legacies Society

5 Practices of Exemplary Leadership

Model the Way, Inspire a Shared Vision, Challenge the Process, Enable Others to Act, Encourage the Heart

Model the Way

Leaders model expected behavior, create agreement around principles, create opportunities for victory, reduce bureaucracy

Inspire a Shared Vision

Leaders believe in their vision, inspire commitment, know constituents' hopes and values, enlist others in a common vision

Challenge the Process

Leaders innovate, support experimentation, take risks, learn from failures and successes

Enable Others to Act

Leaders foster collaboration, build trust, empower others, share power, create ownership

Encourage the Heart

Leaders create caring environments, recognize contributions, celebrate achievements, make people feel valued and like heroes